27% drop in Ras Al Khaimah road deaths

Ras Al Khaimah - The death cases recorded in the first nine of the year on the roads of the northern emirate amounted to 68.4 per cent of the total mishaps.

The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has seen a 27 per cent drop in the number of road accident deaths in the first nine months of the year, basically due to the more traffic patrols deployed and awareness campaigns launched.

Major General Ali Abdullah bin Alwan Al Nuaimi, Commander-in-Chief of the RAK Police, on Wednesday said the main reasons behind the fatal road accidents registered are reckless and inattentive driving.

"These two reasons, which were blamed for 39.4 per cent of the road accidents that occurred this year so far, have been handled in collaboration with all the departments concerned, particularly the public works and services."

The death cases recorded in the first nine of the year on the roads of the northern emirate amounted to 68.4 per cent of the total mishaps that occurred in the first nine months of the year, he added.

"The injured people in these road accidents hit 31.5 per cent of the total accidents recorded as per the statistical report issued by the traffic and patrols department in the RAK police."

The RAK police had professionally studied the traffic statistical report of last year, and identified the main reasons behind the mishaps recorded, Maj-Gen Alwan underlined. "This way has remarkably helped find solutions to these accidents."

Speeding, as well as reckless driving and lack and distraction of attention, were some of the main reasons behind last years' road mishaps, he elaborated. "Entering the main road without checking if it was clear first had led to many fatal accidents."

Indicating, he said the RAK police has deployed more traffic patrols on internal roads and highways of the emirate to curb traffic accidents and casualties. "The hotspots, known for more road accidents, were given more attention."

The traffic and patrols department has also launched a number of important campaigns to develop traffic awareness of all segments of the society, Maj-Gen Alwan said. "We gave more attention to school and varsity students."

The RAK police have further adopted a plan to re-engineer the roads blamed for the fatal accidents reported, mainly at the hotspots, he stated. "Al road users need to be careful and observe traffic rules and regulations for their safety."

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah